Salaries

by styks on Oct 6, 2011 4:04 PM CDT

I'm a 'dreamer' (but I'm not the only one). I love to play the 'what if' game. So I thought I'd include you all in this game. I know the season starts tonight, but I was reviewing the Wings salary going forward and it got me thinking about a couple of things:

1. The contracts for Zetterberg and Franzen are the best contracts of for any player in any sport. Period. Length, amount, annual rate, cap hit. I know Holland gets tons of love from around the world, but I also have to give props to the players for agreeing to them.

2. I think Datsyuk will sign a 5 yr extension (replacing the final year of his current contract) after next season. I'm guessing it will pay $7M for the first 2 years of the extension then $6.5M, $5.5M, and $5M. At the end of that contract, he'll be 39 and probably be a year to year guy like Lidstrom for a couple years, but I don't think he'll command more than $5M nor less than $3M.

3. I know Bertuzzi isn't likely to come back after this season due to age, his contract is not prohibitive. I'd resign him after this year max $1.75M and minimum $1.25M. He's been a solid presence in the locker room, been a threat on the ice, and doesn't complain about being a role player. He knows young guys are going to pass him by.

4. I think Dan Cleary is most perfectly paid player in the NHL. He's worth every penny of the $3M he makes. But I don't really think he's worth more than that. He's not a star player. He's not even a borderline star. But he does everything very well in the Red Wings system. He plays up when he's with the stars and he makes lesser players better. It's a catch-22 because when he plays with Dats and Z, you think "crap! Danny is amazing" but if you step back and look closer, he probably wouldn't fit in other teams systems but he's absolutely perfect for Babcock's.

5. Darren Helm is going to be an RFA, and while that helps the front office in negotiations, I highly doubt Helm even wants to leave Detroit. That being said, he's still due a pretty substantial raise. I'm thinking he's going to get in the neighborhood of $3M for 2 years, then a bump to $5M with a total package being 6 years.

6. I think Brad Stuart is worth maximum $4.5M for 3 years, then 2 more at $3.75M.

7. Kronwall has a lot to prove this year. With Weber being UFA next summer, Kronwall has to prove he can fill Lidstrom shoes as the leader of the blueline. He doesn't have to be Norris-quality, but he needs to lead by example. He can't be caught out of position, he has to hustle non-stop, he has to play the game without any mental errors, day in, day out. It falls on him to be that guy. If he fails, I would expect Holland to chase Weber. If Kronwall performs, I still expect Kenny to make a run at Weber, but not an 'at all cost' sort of run. Either way, Kronwall will be worth $6M-$6.5M for 4 years and 2 more at $4.5M.

8. I don't expect Hudler back with Detroit next year. He could score 50 goals and I still wouldn't expect him back. Here's why: If Hudler bombs, he won't be resigned. If he drops 50 he'll price himself out of what he's really worth. If he plays on par with what Holland and Babcock want from him (27/38/65), he'll expect a decent raise from the $3M he already makes. But I don't think he's worth the $3M he makes because he hasn't proven consistency. If he signs a 1 year deal and repeats with around 65 points, he'll stick his tongue our and say "I told you so" and take a big payday from someone like Toronto. I'd rather see him traded to Toronto or Anaheim or Phoenix or NYI for a 3rd or 4th round pick. I'd even take a 5th and 6th rounder for him.

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Comments

Did you mean Suter?

Weber will be an RFA again after next season. Or so says capgeek

Consequences Schmonsequences.

by traylor1 on Oct 6, 2011 5:30 PM CDT reply actions

CapGeek is correct. He is an RFA. Suter, Rinne, and Kostitsyn are their big UFAs

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 6, 2011 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought

he signed a 1 year deal that would remove the RFA tag…my bad.

No I didn’t mean Suter, but I think Holland would be interested in him as well, just not a break the bank situation.

by styks on Oct 6, 2011 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope, he was something like 40 games away from being a UFA next summer.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 6, 2011 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions

If Franzen doesn’t play up to how he was when he got the contract, I don’t think he is worth what we are paying him. And if he doesn’t improve this season, I fully believe he is expendable at this point.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 6, 2011 8:57 PM CDT reply actions

hmm

Franzen was pretty banged up last season, so I’ll give him a pass. He’s worth every penny of his $5M+, but the real key to the value of his deal is how cap friendly it is. I think he’ll have a monster season this year if his knee is back to 100%.

by styks on Oct 6, 2011 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions

If he can… huzzah. But if he turns in anything like he has since he signed that damned contract… it’s time.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Oct 6, 2011 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

A few things

1. I think the Franzen contract is one of the biggest risks in hockey, and once he’s 32+ it will be an absolute anchor. It’s not a matter of “if” Franzen gets hurt, but when and how badly? He will be injured, it will happen. In the past 4 seasons he has had significant issues with concussions, his ACL, his ankle, the list goes on. As he gets older it will only get worse.

2. I know Datsyuk will re-sign but I’m not sure what I value him at when he’s over 37. Tough to figure out.

5. If Helm starts putting up points similar to Jordan Staal, he’ll be getting a very big raise when he hits UFA in a couple years. Hopefully Kenny can lock him up at a decent rate for a few years after this season.

7. Weber is not UFA next year, Suter is (I think that was cleared up earlier here). I can see Kronwall topping at 5.5m, but who knows? He might take a few hundred thousand for the home discount.

8. I’m pretty sure Hudler played his way out of Detroit last season. You’re right, he plays crappy? He gone. He plays too well? He prices himself out since he’s so one-dimensional.

I hate Jonathon Ericsson.

by Brion on Oct 6, 2011 11:43 PM CDT reply actions

Some good observations there.

1. Z’s contract is great… Franzen’s can be debated. He will get injured again, but he at least needs to perform until that point. I really believe he was dialed back in his slump to protect himself. Could be wrong, but I want to believe he wants to play here forever.

2. Dats will re-sign and all will be well with the world as Doves(probably more likely octopi) are released at the Joe onto the ice.

3. Bert has a great way of looking at things and is totally worth the money we pay him. He also plays nearly every freaking game. That’s pretty damn awesome if you ask me. The tuzzi can score, or he can drop gloves and teach you a lesson. His defense has been pretty nice as well.

4. Dan Cleary is probably one of my favorite players BECAUSE he is underrated. I love the fact that no one knows of him or cares about him. This gives him TONS of opportunities to shoot on goal. He’s definitely got the best contract for what he contributes. If Brunnstrom can even come slightly close to being half a Cleary for his price… the baton will shift to Brunnstrom for best contract.

5. Helm will stay. I think your belief that he gets close to 3 mil is probably about right. Some say he will never be a top 6 forward, but I think he’s going to be the new face in the future. He’s likeable, talented, and also humble. RedWing through and through.

6. Brad’s contract will probably be like you say… 4.5ish. He’s still playing well, but the age factor will start coming into play with how hard he works.

7. Kronner is gonna be back and I expect a contract extension for him by Christmas. He’s definitely going to be “the man” when Lids is gone. It’s taken a while, but his maturity has really gotten up there and his skills are great and well honed. Said skillz can pay the billz.

8. With the wealth of talent we have, Hudler really has a ton to prove this year. If he does well, I believe he’ll stay next year for around the same money. He’s still young and could be a weapon for us to use for a long time. The one thing I need to see from him is hard work for more than 82 games every year. If he hustles and can put up points… he stays. If not… he leaves and someone else can take his place. I bet Tater tot would have done as well as he last year if he would have been in the same situation. However, Huds was great in the month of February and we shouldn’t forget that he’s dangerously awesome when his mojo gets working… and I don’t mean with ______. (Insert Russian Hooker joke HERE).

Get your Al the Octopus

byjenniferleigh.etsy.com/

by Josh Howard on Oct 7, 2011 7:31 AM CDT reply actions